Turkish military, FSA liberate 4 villages in Afrin

By Levent Tok and Burak Karacaoglu

AFRIN/ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Monday liberated four more villages from YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists during Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region.

The villages -- including Zindakan, Qila, Kumush Burj, Qibar -- were cleared of the terrorists, Anadolu Agency correspondents on the field reported.

Since the launch of the operation, Turkish military and the FSA liberated 193 locations including five town centers, 155 villages, 33 strategic mountains and hills and one YPG/PKK base.

According to Anadolu Agency’s correspondent, a total of 1,100 sq kilometers were cleared from terror threat during the operation.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.